Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow morning a very important ceremony will be held in Yellowknife at the site of the new adult and youth correctional

facilities. This ceremony marks the beginning of the construction of these two new facilities.

Respected elders will lead prayers to ask for guidance for everyone who works on this project and for the safety of the workers who build the new facilities. As the project develops, there will be further ceremonies to help make sure the new facilities become a place of healing and reconciliation.

Mr. Speaker, I believe this is the first time we have built a correctional institution in this way and I believe it shows a commitment to the future of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, we often say we need to build stronger communities; part of doing that is dealing with the things that go wrong and make sure they do not happen again.

We have laws to say what is acceptable in our communities and what is not. It is easy to say that a person has hurt the community because they have broken a law. It is not so easy to say what should be done as a result.

In the past, prisons have focused on punishment, but we have learned that in the long term, this does not solve our problems.

In more recent years, the focus has shifted to rehabilitation. We now try to find a way to help offenders grow into strong, healthy people. To accomplish this, we need facilities that build on the best aspects of our cultures here in the North and that help people to find their own path.

Unfortunately, we have been limited by a lack of suitable facilities. Members of this House have raised the issue of the shortage of youth facilities in the North Slave region and have recognized that YCC needs to be replaced. I think we can all agree it is difficult to offer appropriate programs when you do not have room for them.

Mr. Speaker, the new adult and youth facilities in Yellowknife will play an important role in dealing with and reducing crime. In the long run, that is good for all of us. I hope that my colleagues here in the House and everyone in the Northwest Territories will join with me in recognizing this important occasion. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause